Bowden eyes new challenge (From Watford Observer)

Bowden eyes new challenge

10:40am Sunday 20th July 2008 in

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Steeplechaser Adam Bowden is contemplating turning his attention to the triathlon after agonisingly missing out on selection for the Beijing Olympics this week.

Bowden celebrated the finest moment of his career on Sunday when he was crowned the top steeplechaser in the country after winning the Great Britain Olympic trials in Birmingham.

The stunning win was not enough, however, to earn Bowden automatic selection for the Great Britain team as he had not achieved the qualifying time of 8.24.90.

The GB selectors handed Bowden one final chance to gain the time before Saturday’s deadline at a hastily-arranged meeting at Woodside Stadium on Wednesday night, but the leg-weary former St Michael’s School pupil could only manage a time of 8.33.

“I’m really disappointed,” said Bowden. “It was probably one race too many. I did my best but my legs were burning and my arms felt like lead. It was just too soon after Sunday.

“I knew it was going to be hard,” added the 25-year-old, who would have had to knock four hundreths of a second of his personal best set in 2006. “I thought I could do it but I gave it my best and that’s all you can ask.”

Bowden’s disappointment at missing out on the time contrasted sharply with his elation at winning the trials, which doubled up as the UK Championships.

Bowden outsprinted his rival Andrew Lemoncello in the final 100m to win the event at the Alexander Stadium and record what he described as “the best moment of my career”.

“I was over the moon,” said Bowden. “I was so pleased. I felt strong all the way through and I knew it was my time. My plan was to go at 400m and I knew when I came off the barrier no-one was going to beat me.”

Bowden, however, could now turn his back on the event.

“I’m looking at the triathlon now,” revealed Bowden who has swum at the National Championships.

“I did it as a kid and it’s something we are looking at for the 2012 Olympics.

“My coach (Tony Bush) and I have talked about it briefly and it’s something I fancy having a go at. Most triathlons are won on the running stage anyway.”